SB Nation - Jason Brown

The Eric DeCosta Scorecard

John Morgan — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:32:25 -0000

Eric DeCosta's living resume, in repose.

(What follows is over seven pages and 2,500 words long. If you're interested in the gist of it, scroll down to the end.)

I did an overview on Eric DeCosta, but think I can do better and think you deserve better. Here's an attempt to hold DeCosta by the same standard I held Steve Keim. First I will look at his work as a Midwest scout for the Ravens from 1998-2002, and then his work as the director of college scouting from 2003-2009.

Baltimore did not draft a talent from the Midwest until 2001.

2001

3) 92 Casey Rabach C Wisconsin

4) 126 Edgerton Hartwell LB Western Illinois

7) 231 Dwayne Missouri DE Northwestern

Casey Rabach might remind some of Seattle's Chris Spencer situation. Rabach was drafted in the third round by the Ravens but struggled to break through early in his career. He then signed with the Redskins and became the most consistent player on their offensive line.

Hartwell was a pretty good value for the round he was taken in. He started his second season and from 2002-2004 before leaving in free agency. His approximate value in those seasons is 9, 8 and 9. Atlanta signed him to a six-year, $26.25 million contract before 2005, but injuries sapped his ability and he was cut in 2007.

Missouri is a seventh round pick that never broke through.

2002

2) 52 Anthony Weaver DE Notre Dame

4) 112 Dave Zastudil P Ohio U.

4) 123 Ron Johnson WR Minnesota

6) 206 Javin Hunter WR Notre Dame

6) 207 Chester Taylor RB Toledo

We see the rising influence of DeCosta in this draft, his last as a regional scout before being promoted. Weaver was a solid pick in the second. He was able to start his rookie season and started 16, 15 and 15 games before a host of injuries sidelined him in 2005. DeCosta scores twice on Weaver: For drafting him in the second and acquiring a Lawrence Jackson like end and for not re-signing him after injuries took their toll. Weaver looked like a stud back then, but fizzled away from Baltimore.

If you draft a punter in the fourth, he better stick and he better be great. Zastudil is not, by all accounts. His rookie season with Baltimore, the Ravens were below average punting the ball, and over his four season, he was twice below average and twice above average - almost in equal degrees. I am starting to think it is very hard to evaluate a punter from an outsider's perspective. I disagree with drafting a punter so early, but it seems Zastudil is, if nothing else, a competent punter that can be good.

Johnson never developed as a receiver or returner and was last a linebacker and receiver for the Cleveland Gladiators.

Hunter's career peak was a 63 yard kickoff return in 2002. He is not the same kind of flat bust as Johnson. Hunter started strong in the preseason and started three regular season games as a rookie. He ruptured his Achilles before the start of 2003 and was never the same player. Push.

Chester Taylor started his career as a third down back, but slowly worked himself into the running back rotation. Taylor was buried behind Jamal Lewis, but still produced, was signed by Minnesota in 2006, rushed for 1,200 yards, and was then buried behind Adrian Peterson. Taylor has been valuable throughout his career and is a huge win on DeCosta's resume.

Starting in 2003, we must assume DeCosta took a leadership position in the Ravens entire draft.

2003

1) 10 Terrell Suggs OLB Arizona State

1) 19 Kyle Boller QB California

3) 77 Musa Smith RB Georgia

4) 109 Jarret Johnson DE Alabama

4) 134 Ovie Mughelli FB Wake Forest

5) 146 Aubrayo Franklin DT Tennessee

5) 173 Tony Pashos T Illinois

6) 182 Gerome Sapp DB Notre Dame

7) 223 Trent Smith TE Oklahoma

7) 250 Mike Mabry C Central Florida

7) 258 Antwoine Sanders - Utah

Suggs has been a baller from snap one. He was a situational pass rusher as a rookie and recorded 12 sacks. He has 56.5 for his career, 5 interceptions, 32 passes defended and 18 forced fumbles. Suggs is an elite player, still only 27, and a young 27, and a grand slam pick for DeCosta.

Boller is everything I said about Suggs, applied to a quarterback, inverted and intensified. A complete bust that looked the part of a bust, my only tempering of this massive misstep by DeCosta is that Brian Billick pushed hard for Boller, and in those days, Billick was a respected coach, and a force slapdicks shouldn't defy.

Musa Smith looked like a talented back on his way up before Roy Williams effectively ended his career with a horse collar tackle. Smith suffered a compound fracture of his tibia. The play directly led to the banning of horse collar tackles, but the damage was done for Smith. He played sparingly the next two seasons and could never reestablish himself. Push.

Jarret Johnson took a slow path to success, but has been a regular starter in four of the last five seasons. A very good pick that is still paying dividends for the Ravens, notably, Johnson's AV in 2008 was 10, better than Bart Scott.

Mughelli didn't break through right away with the Ravens, but is now considered one of the best fullbacks in football. He was good in his final two seasons in Baltimore, but lured away when Atlanta offered him big bucks. A minor success for what they got.

The hits keep coming: Franklin was a valuable rotational player for Baltimore, even starting once, and is now a starter for San Francisco. Mike Nolan targeted Franklin, which says something about his perceived value, and though he never fully broke through with Baltimore, he was playing behind Kelly Gregg. Not a horn-blowing success, but very good value for the pick.

Pashos is what a right tackle should be: cheap and good enough. A good player for Baltimore and eventually Jacksonville, Pashos is a good run blocker that was a great value for the Ravens.

Gerome Sapp couldn't stick with the Ravens, signed with the Colts and then signed again with the Ravens. He played nickelback. Neither a bust nor hit, but a pick spent on a semi-talented player that just didn't fit on the roster.

Smith, Mabry and Sanders had no noteworthy NFL career.

2004

2) 51 Dwan Edwards DT Oregon State

3) 82 Devard Darling WR Washington State

5) 153 Roderick Green LB Central Missouri State

6) 187 Josh Harris QB Bowling Green State

6) 199 Clarence Moore WR Northern Arizona

7) 244 Derek Abney WR Kentucky

7) 246 Brian Rimpf T East Carolina

Edwards is still a sometimes starter, sometimes rotational end for the Ravens. He is neither a bust nor a hit, but a semi-valuable player acquired with a semi-valuable pick.

Darling never produced for Baltimore, and that's quite an achievement, because the 2004 Ravens leading receiver was Travis Taylor. Taylor had 421 yards receiving. Darling was last in Kansas City. His current whereabouts are unknown, but, presumably, not in Kansas anymore.

Green struggled to produce, was stabbed July 2006, subsequently released and is now out of the league.

The rest of the draft barely made an impact and all four are now out of the league. After ruling draft day, DeCosta's second draft produced no starters, and only one regular.

2005

1) 22 Mark Clayton WR Oklahoma

2) 53 Dan Cody LB Oklahoma

2) 64 Adam Terry T Syracuse

4) 124 Jason Brown C North Carolina

5) 158 Justin Green RB Montana

6) 213 Derek Anderson QB Oregon State

7) 234 Mike Smith LB Texas Tech

Clayton had a strong rookie season, an even better sophomore season and has since spun his wheels into the mud. The 22^nd overall pick, Clayton is not a prize, but surely a value, still young, and maybe has better seasons ahead of him.

Cody was a fine prospect whose career has been eaten by injuries. He started 42 games in college. Best to call this a push, as the injury seemed unpredictable and traumatic.

Terry was a second round selection that never fully broke out of spot starter duties. Terry has not played in 2009. This is another pick muddled by injuries and therefore hard to evaluate.

Jason Brown started his second season and is a highly regarded center. St. Louis threw smarts to the wind and signed him to googolplex dollars this past offseason, but, for three seasons, he was a cheap and very good center for Baltimore.

Justin Green was a special teams contributor.

Anderson was waived his first season and claimed by the Cleveland Browns. He then had one of the great fluke quarterback seasons of all time, before retreating into his well furnished mansion of suck.

Smith contributed briefly for the Ravens on special teams.

2006

1) 12 Haloti Ngata DT Oregon

2) 56 Chris Chester C Oklahoma

3) 87 David Pittman DB Northwestern State-Louisiana

4) 111 Demetrius Williams WR Oregon

4) 132 P.J. Daniels RB Georgia Tech

5) 146 Dawan Landry SS Georgia Tech

5) 166 Quinn Sypniewski TE Colorado

6) 203 Sam Koch P Nebraska

6) 208 Derrick Martin CB Wyoming

7) 219 Ryan LaCasse LB Syracuse

Ngata is considered one of the best 3-4 linemen in football. He has played end and tackle, is just entering his prime, and should the conditions be right, could be entering a lengthy run of Pro Bowl appearances.

Chester was recruited as a tight end, drafted as a center, converted to guard, converted again to tight end and then converted back to guard again. He has 32 starts in his NFL career, and if never a stand out on his own, has been a good part of some very good offensive lines.

Pittman had two interception in 2007 and a forced fumble. That about summarizes his NFL career. He now plays in the UFL.

Williams is a field stretcher that has never come into his own as an actual receiver. He is not a bad player, and is valuable for his draft position.

Daniels was put on injured reserve prior to his second season and never recovered.

Dawan Landry has started three of the last four seasons, and, apart from 2008, has been a very solid starter for Baltimore since his rookie season. He used to noogie LaRon Landry.

Sypniewski was primarily a blocking tight end, but received some in 2007 after Todd Heap and Daniel Wilcox suffered injuries. He tore his ACL prior to this season.

Koch is the Ravens current punter. This season the team is slightly above average punting.

Martin is a talented young defensive back that was buried in Baltimore and now plays in Green Bay. Baltimore traded Martin for offensive tackle Tony Moll.

LaCasse never factored.

2007

1) 29 Ben Grubbs G Auburn

3) 74 Yamon Figurs WR Kansas State

3) 86 Marshal Yanda T Iowa

4) 134 Antwan Barnes LB Florida International

4) 137 Le'Ron McClain FB Alabama

5) 174 Troy Smith QB Ohio State

6) 207 Prescott Burgess LB Michigan

Supplemental

5) Jared Gaither T Maryland

Baltimore built their left side with this draft and in impressive fashion. Grubbs is a promising young starter and on the short list for best young offensive guards in football.

Yamon Figurs returned a kick and a punt for a touchdown in his first season, but could never stick as a receiver. Once the Ravens found a better return man, Figurs was cut, and is currently a free agent.

Yanda is a spot starter at guard and tackle that may have outright won the right guard position this season after starting the last four games and playing ably. I'm a big fan of Yanda.

Barnes is a rotational linebacker and special teams player for the Ravens.

McClain is a fullback better known for his rushing than blocking, but so what? He was astonishingly valuable in 2008 and the 11-5 Ravens leading rusher. This season he is buried behind Ray Rice and Willis McGahee. McClain's is a curious story to say the least. I am not sure he will ever repeat his 2008 performance, and certainly some of that performance must be credited the Ravens line, but for that year alone, we must credit DeCosta with another fullback find.

Smith was a member of the jobbers row of quarterbacks Seattle fattened against in 2007. He is now a Wildcat quarterback.

Burgess has split time between the Ravens and Patriots, and is, essentially, depth and a special teams player.

Gaither is the crown jewel of this class. DeCosta got Gaither for a fifth round pick in the supplemental draft, and now he is their starting left tackle, and franchise tackle of the future. Gaither isn't in the class of young Turk left tackles taking over the NFL, but he's close, a rare physical specimen (the tallest man in the NFL), a powerful drive blocker with developing pass pro skills. He was available in the supplemental draft because of bad grades, and available in the fifth round of the supplemental draft because a lot of other GMs didn't do their homework.

That leads us to the last draft we'll look at in detail.

1) 18 Joe Flacco QB Delaware

2) 55 Ray Rice RB Rutgers

3) 71 Tavares Gooden OLB Miami (Fla.)

3) 86 Tom Zbikowski FS Notre Dame

3) 99 Oniel Cousins T Texas-El Paso

4) 106 Marcus Smith WR New Mexico

4) 133 David Hale G Weber State

6) 206 Haruki Nakamura FS Cincinnati

7) 215 Justin Harper WR Virginia Tech

7) 240 Allen Patrick RB Oklahoma

Joe Flacco is a franchise quarterback.

Ray Rice is one of the best young running backs in football.

Bart Scott's replacement doesn't fill a stat sheet, but Tavares Gooden is starting for a top ten defense in his second season. It's premature to pass judgment on T-Good.

Everyone's favorite boxing white safety is mostly a special teams force, but in three starts this season, he has two interceptions and four passes defended. I liked this pick when it was made, but it's, again, a little early to project his future value.

Cousins has started the last two games at right tackle, but through force of attrition rather than eminent skill. Nevertheless, one injury ravaged offensive line to another, Cousins seems more capable than some of Seattle's replacements.

The next three players are special teamers, and Allen Patrick was cut.

2004 was a hot mess, and, tellingly, occurred after DeCosta swept the 2003 draft. So, all GMs and potential GMs have their highs and lows, but DeCosta's highs certainly seem to outnumber and more than compensate for his lows. If we wanted to put a stamp on his career in Baltimore, I would stamp it a success, but let's attempt something a little more nuanced.

He seems to excel at drafting offensive line talent. He has never invested major resources into the offensive line but still acquired Rabach, Pashos, Terry, Brown, Chester, Sypnewski, Grubbs, Yanda, Gaither and Cousins. He also has had several successes drafting defensive linemen, linebackers, running backs, fullbacks and safeties. His run of backs is particularly impressive. He doesn't trend towards a specific region and seems to have no major leanings towards small schools or big schools. His success at drafting quarterbacks is mixed. Kyle Boller was an inexcusable failure, but Anderson and Smith were decent value for their pick position and Flacco is a young stud. Truthfully, I'm not wild about Flacco's profile, and though he's stepping into this own, the big bodied, big armed profile DeCosta seems to favor is notorious for producing busts.

What excites me most about DeCosta is not his drafting record, but the prolific picks he secures. Few teams enter draft day so consistently stocked with picks throughout the draft, and unlike other GMs that will burn those picks to move up and select their guy, DeCosta stands pat and picks many players. He has benefited immensely from trawling the draft and seeing what value shakes out.

His high profile and history of finding offensive line talent should make him a favorite for the Seattle position. I don't know that DeCosta is the "Z" we desire, but on second inspection, he is a young, well connected executive with a diverse portfolio of success.

H1N1 latest foe to shut down the Rams

VanRam — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:31:32 -0000

Last week it was the Titans, the week before it was the Bears, this week, before the Texans even get the chance to administer a spanking, the St. Louis Rams are getting it handed to them by the swine flu, H1N1.The Rams canceled practice today to prevent a wider outbreak of the virus that has already struck a few players.

The nastiest virus to hit the zeigiest since ebola has sidelined Kyle Boller and Jason Brown this week, though the PD notes Brown showed up at Rams Park today. Keith Null may get another chance if H1N1 has anything to say about it. Reports of Boller being ill first surfaced yesterday. Figure a three to four day recovery time for H1N1 and that means he could be ready to go on Sunday, but will he be at 100% or close enough to play?

More linkage:

Donnie Avery will get the chance to meet Texans WR Andre Johnson, his idol, on the field this week. Avery first introduced himself to Johnson as an up-and-coming college receiver.

Why are we even considering IR for Bulger and Jason Smith? Just shut them down already.

The guys at Walter Football updated their mock draft today. Whether or not Tampa or the Rams end up with the first pick remains to be seen, but they're giving first overall, and Ndamukong Suh to the Bucs for the top pick. For the Rams at #2 they've got Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen. If the Rams don't end up with the first overall pick and can't get Suh, who would/should they take? I certainly lean toward a QB, but there's plenty of time between now and April to change that notion.

Texans Five on Five: Week 15 Edition

Jake — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:04:52 -0000

The Houston Texans picked up some momentum last week by trouncing the Seahawks 34-7. They'll try to keep that drive going on Sunday when they travel to St. Louis to play the struggling Rams. Remember last year when the Texans were coming off an emotional victory and played the struggling Raiders? Let's avoid the quintessential letdown game. Here's the five matchups I feel are the most pivotal to make that happen.

1. Amobi Okoye vs. Jason Brown - Brown rode his success in Baltimore to a lucrative contract with the Rams in the offseason. Now Brown finds himself on an island with the recent release of talented but impetulant guard Richie Incognito. Okoye has gone a long way to undo the "bust" label this yearl, but now it's time to start proving that he is going to take the next step. Look for Okoye to penetrate through a reworked interior line for the Rams.

2. Mike Karney vs. DeMeco Ryans - As people focus on the stellar rookie season of Brian Cushing, Ryans is quietly having a Pro Bowl year. Meanwhile, Steven Jackson is having the best season since 2006, even with the revolving door at quarterback this season. The Rams released talented fullback Madison Hedgecock early in 2007, which coincided with 4.1 yards per carry and an average of 1,022 yards over 2007 and 2008 despite Jackson being the focal point of the offense. This year, Jackson is averaging 4.5 yards per attempt and already has more than 1,200 rushing yards, largely due to the lead blocking of Karney. Ryans needs to shed the blocks in order to meet Jackson in the backfield and add to the 3 tackles for loss he recorded last week.

3. Bernard Pollard vs. Steven Jackson - With both Marc Bulger and Kyle Boller out, 6th round draft pick ~~Kyle~~ Keith Null will start at quarterback on Sunday. Look for the Rams to screen and check down to Jackson, who is easily their most talented player, often. Pollard showed last week that not only can he tackle in space, but he can jump running back routes and make opposing offenses pay. He also like to knock the piss out of people.

4. Matt Schaub vs. Rams Secondary - Schaub has already shattered his career highs in passing yards, completions and touchdowns this season. Unfortunately, he is also averaging an interception per game. On Sunday he will throw against a secondary that is second to last in the league with only 8 interceptions. Schaub has only had two weeks this year where he didn't throw a pick. If Schaub wants to put this game out of reach and therefore avoid even the possibility of a fourth quarter collapse, he needs to take care of the ball.

5. Texans players vs. Possible Kubiak Firing - Last week the Texans showed that they don't want to see head coach Gary Kubiak get fired. Andre Johnson not only made a public plea for Kubiak, but he also showed on the field that he flourishes under the offensive minded coach. The quickest way to put Kubiak in jeopardy is to lay an egg against a one win team. Hopefully the players continue to give Kubiak a stay of execution.

Texans vs Rams coverage

Changing of the guards at Rams Park

VanRam — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:51:10 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

Jacob Bell joins the pile.

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On the same day the St. Louis Rams dumped troubled asset starting right guard Richie Incognito, they sent starting left guard Jacob Bell to the injured reserve list. One to purgatory, one to heaven or hell, depending on how you feel as a player being a member of the Rams.

That means the Rams will have three backup linemen when they take the field against the Houston Texans. One of the two remaining starters, Alex Barron, will have the unenviable task of containing Mario Williams who has four sacks in his last three games. In the middle, C Jason Brown will be flanked, most likely, by John Greco and Mark Setterstrom. As frustrating as it is to see two more starters off the roster, the silver lining here is getting Setterstrom and Greco some playing time. Setterstrom started six games in 2006 at guard, and made a real impression as a rookie. Injuries have limited his progress since then, but the Rams made resigning him during this offseason a priority. Second year man John Greco, a third round pick from the 2008 draft, is no stranger to filling in for Richie Incognito. The Toledo product started in Cog's place during the final game of the season last year; Richie was seen eating a candybar on the sidelines...connect the dots between here and there for Richie.

A flurry of other moves to bolster o-line depth: The Rams signed OT Ryan McKee who was released by the Jets. At 6' 6" 291 lbs, McKee may be more of a guard than anything, until he adds some weight. OT Eric Young was signed from the Rams practice squad to the active roster.

In two seasons with the Rams, Bell has dealt with injuries and played just 13 games in both seasons. Bell improved his play considerably this year, after playing through injuries and underwieght last season. The Rams need this guy to stay healthy, but since he hasn't shown the ability to play 16 games, it's good to get a look at the depth behind him.

I miss Jason Smith in the lineup.

Week 13 Preview: Rams (1-10) @ Bears (4-7)

Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:30:16 -0000

More photos » by Carlos Osorio - AP

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When you are sitting at 4-7 there isn't a lot that can put your team in a good mood, but taking on the worse off 1-10 St. Louis Rams could be a good start. If things go as they have all year the Bears should be able to win. They lose to the real good teams and beat the real bad teams. However if the flip side occurs and the Bears actually get dropped by the hapless Rams, in Chicago no less, then it could be a start to the end of season house cleaning many fans want.

Week 12 Recap

The Rams: Seattle running back Justin Forsett had a career day in St. Louis last week with two tuddy's and 130 yards rushing as the Seahawks won 27-17. The Rams actually out gained Seattle 364 to 265, but that Seattle D picked up 4 sacks and 2 picks. Ram QB Kyle Boller (yes the former bust out with the Ravens) threw for his third most yards ever, 282, and hit 10 different receivers while doing it. He also added 26 yards on the ground. A less that 100% Steven Jackson still racked up 89 yards rushing and chipped in with 5 grabs out of the backfield for 29 yards.

The Bears: Chicago looked like a Sophomore team trying to take on the Varsity. The Vikings whipped up on the Bears in every possible way winning 36-10, and it wasn't even that close. Brett Favre had one of the better days of his stellar career and Jarred Allen's 2 sacks led the Viking D to a dominating performance. Here are the ugly final yardage totals, Minnesota 537 - Chicago 169, and don't forget the Bears only had 2 yards of total offense in the second half. U-G-L-Y.

Quick Numbers:

20: A career high (so far) interceptions for Jay Cutler.
8: Number of interceptions the Rams defense has picked off so far this year.
7: Turnovers by Kyle Boller in just 4 games played.
6: Charles Tillman leads the league with 6 forced fumbles this year.

Key Injuries:

STL - RB Steven Jackson - Questionable (Back) Likely will play

STL - FB Mike Karney - Questionable (Neck)

STL - OT Jason Smith - Out (Concussion)

CHI - OLB Lance Briggs - Out (Knee)

CHI - LT Orlando Pace - Out (Groin)

CHI - Desmond Clark - Questionable (Neck)

CHI - Charles Tillman - Probable (Concussion) Likely will play

When the Rams have the ball.
Steven Jackson, Steven Jackson, and more Steven Jackson. Jackson leads the team in rushing and receptions and the Rams look to get him the ball as much as possible. Look for QB Kyle Boller to target Jackson early to try and get his confidence up.

The key match-up for the Rams: Rams OL vs. Bears DL
The Rams offensive line should welcome back starting guard Richie Incognito and center Jason Brown. If the interior of the Ram line is able to neutralize the Bears DT's look for them to methodically pound the 231 pound Jackson inside all day. With the way the Rams defense has been playing controlling the clock is their best chance at a win.

The X factor on offense for the Rams: QB Kyle Boller
As I mentioned above Boller tossed for his third most yards ever, if the Rams are able to establish the run, their play-actions and roll outs could give the Bears fits. Boller is a mobile QB and won't hesitate to take off and pick up what he can.

When the Bears have the ball.
The Rams have given up the fifth most total yards and are fifth worst against the rush (148.5 per game), so I would expect the Bears to try and get the run game going. After only 8 rushing attempts against the Vikings last week the Bears have to try and get it going vs. the Rams. Matt Forte rushed for 139 yards last year in St. Louis, his most as a pro, and should be a big part of the offensive game plan this week. Jay Cutler has played much better at home this year, but the Bears should allow him to easy into the game this week. And for the love of God, could we not see the wide receiver screen this week?

The key match-up for the Bears: RT Kevin Shaffer vs. DE Leonard Little
I alluded to this match up in my preview I did on the Sporting News, so it makes sense to bring it to light here as well. The Bears picked a heck of a week to plug Shaffer in at RT. Little is the best pass rusher the Rams have with 5.5 sacks on the year (and 86.5 on his career), but Shaffer played mostly right tackle in Cleveland so it isn't new to him.

The X Factor on offense for the Bears: QB Jay Cutler
Can someone of the stature of Cutler be an X Factor? I'm not sure, but he is this week... Since I had Boller as the X Factor for St. Louis why not throw Cutler in there for Chicago? The only way I see the Rams having a chance this week is if Cutler allows them, with a few more interceptions. Play in the system, take what is given to you, and run when some open field presents itself. I can see another unsatisfying win just like the Cleveland game, but at this point the Bears will take any win they can get.

Side notes from the NFC North:

Vikings: Sunday Night Football and a trip to Arizona, this may be the last team on the schedule that could trip up the Vikings.

Packers: Baltimore is a tough place to play and Ray Rice is gonna be a tough test for the Packers, he's #2 in the NFL in yards from scrimmage.

Lions: Look for the Bengals passing game to make quick work of a banged up Lions secondary.

Rams getting healthier

VanRam — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:40:04 -0000

More photos » by Tom Gannam - AP

You can't stop him.

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New players, new coaches, new front office management, lots of things look different for the St. Louis Rams this season. One constant from past seasons, the injuries. The Rams head into their week 13 game against the bloodied Bears with some key players listed as questionable.

The good news is that C Jason Brown practiced yesterday and should be back in the mix this weekend. Good thing. The Rams took all kinds of abuse in the middle part of their line last week without Brown, starting RG Richie Incognito and replacement Adam Goldberg sliding over to fill in for RT Jason Smith.

Speaking of Smith, he's most likely out this week, still not having completed the necessary neurological exams required to play after suffering a concussion. Goldberg will take his place. Personally, I always felt like Goldberg did a better job filling in on the left side at tackle.

Steven Jackson didn't practice, but he does expect to play. He'll be without super blocking full back Mike Karney.

Does anybody else want to see more 4 WR sets this week? Yeah, me too.

Rams starters ailing & healing

VanRam — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:34:12 -0000

More photos » by Tom Gannam - AP

The big in the middle, Jason Brown, is healing from a knee sprain. The Rams need him.

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The St. Louis Rams strung out their game last week against Seattle with a skeleton crew. All over the field injured starters were replaced with backups, it certainly had an impact on the game's outcome. Yesterday the Rams got good news on some of their hurtin' units.

RG Richie Incognito is expected to return to practice this week. His fill-in, Adam Goldberg, did a great job a RG, better than his work at OT.

C Jason Brown has a mild knee strain. He could return as soon as Wednesday, and will hopefully be able to play against the Bears this week. The Rams really, really missed Brown in the second half this week. Notice that Brown had never missed a practice or a game in his young career until coming to the Rams. Something in the water here?

RT Jason Smith's status seems to be the least certain. His concussion tests came back fine, but he has to take more before he is cleared to play. How can you not like this guy when he calls himself "310 pounds of twisted steel and sex appeal." He's earned the right to a little blustery; it's clear what the Rams lack when he's not on the line.

MLB James Laurinaitis suffered a mild shoulder separation, but should be good to go this week. Whew. That would be one loss the Rams would have a tough time absorbing. Can you imagine how bad the defense would be without him?

FB Mike Karney is still out, and that's a tough injury to see the Rams suffer, especially with Jackson's back hurting. Keep an eye on this situation.

Look at that injury list, how does that not factor into the Rams piss poor performance this week?

What would you have done on 4th-and-4?

VanRam — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:12:57 -0000

More photos » by Tom Gannam - AP

Josh Brown sat on the bench while the Rams went for it on 4th-and-4. Mistake?

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Hindsight really is 20-20, and there is no better example of that than yesterday's decision by St. Louis Rams head coach to go for it on 4th-and-4 with less than two minutes remaining in the first half of the game and the game tied at 7 points apiece.

It would have been approxiamtely a 49-yard field goal attempt. Kicker Josh Brown whiffed a 46-yarder prior to the 4th-and-4 situation, but did make a 55-yarder later in the game.

I understand both sides of the argument. Today, it's easy to see that the FG would have given the Rams a lead, that they might have been able to hold going into the locker room for the half. Of course, at the time, being aggressive is good thought for a team with nothing to lose.

So, 4 yards, and Seattle had done a pretty good job of limiting the running game. In fact, up to that point, Jackson had just two carries that went for more than 4 yards. What really made the decision to go for it seem so strange was that two plays earlier the Rams had lost C Jason Brown. The o-line had struggled enough with Brown in the game, but losing him certainly dimmed the prospects for converting a 4th-and-4.

What would you have done?

Poll

What would you have done on 4th-and-4 late in the first half with the game tied?

Go for it; Spags made the right call.

97 votes

Kick a FG, take 3 points and the lead

186 votes

283 votes | Poll has closed

Rams 17, Seahawks 27: Injuries pile on as the Rams take 10th loss

VanRam — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:47:40 -0000

More photos » by L.G. Patterson - AP

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First the good news, the St. Louis Rams have the top pick in the draft. The bad news is they lost a game against a bitter rival.

Once again, give Steven Jackson major props. He very nearly missed the game; only in warmups was he cleared to play. As usual, he had a helluva game, running for 89 yards on 23 carries. He started the game, but some of the team's top blockers did not, putting the running game in jeapordy form the start. FB Mike Karney, who has been clearing defensive linemen all season for Jackson, was inactive, as was RT Jason Smith. Things really looked bleak when C Jason Brown left the game with an injury.

It was rough day, and fans were calling for Keith Null to get a shot as the game slipped away from the Rams. That, however, would have been ill-advised as the offensive line struggled all day, even before Brown left the game.

Kyle Boller is Kyle Boller. I mean that in the sense that he is a backup QB reason, and he gave the team a solid effort, getting sacked 4 times and pressured on seemingly every play. Only the best QBs could have overcome those odds, not to mention one who lacks a true blue threat at WR. That said, it should be pretty clear that the Rams need a QB. Soon. Why was he throwing into double coverage? Not dumping the ball when he was getting sacked late in the game also reminded you of why Kyle Boller is not a long term solution. I'm not going to dump on the guy too much though. It would have been nice to see him get that late rushing TD. Like I said above, he is what he is. If the Rams were a more talented, healthier team they might have been able to overcome some of those mistakes, but they are not that talented in several key areas...as if you needed to be reminded.

Of course, their need for a defensive lineman stood out today as well, as the Seahawks gouged them for...oh, lots of yards and two rushing TDs.

Fortunately, it sounds like C Jason Brown should be back in time for next week's game, since he just suffered a sprain and nothing more serious. Not to take too much away from Adam Goldberg, but it's clear how talented Jason Smith is and how much the Rams need him on the field. His move to LT and the unceremonious end to Alex Barron's career in St. Louis can't come soon enough.

Heroes

James Laurinaitis - his game is not flawless, but it's damn good. Too bad teams are figuring out how to isolate him and take him out of the play. Nice to see the kid pick up a sack.
Steven Jackson - Is there any question about the man's greatness?
Danny Amendola - This midseason pickup is looking like another feather in Devaney's cap. He could really do something with a legit #1 WR on the roster...and a better QB.
O. J. Atogwe - Still got it.

Zeroes

Alex Barron - Am I too hard on the guy? Seattle got men around him, and he got another stupid penalty that took the Rams from 2nd and 4 to 2nd and 14. He had to hold the DL because he got beat, badly on the play.
The Defensive Line - Damn this group needs talent. The more I watch, the more I think we need to either draft or sign the best free agent DT we can get. More of the same next year if we don't.

Random Ramsdom 11/21: Catching up on Saturday's Rams news

VanRam — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:04:50 -0000

Happy Saturday everyone. It's the second to last week of the college football regular season, so that means you've got work to do scouting the the future of the St. Louis Rams. Don't forget to download 3k's college watch list.

In the meantime, we've got some newsy links to get to, for your Saturday edition of Random Ramsdom.

Little facing old friend this week - Leonard Little is not going to let his friendship with Kurt Warner get in the way of a good sack.

Reconsidering Marc Bulger - Sando wonders if Bulger wouldn't be useful for the Rams to keep around in 2010 if the QB can play well down the stretch, allowing the Rams to use their first round pick on someone besides a QB. I suspect this is an argument we'll be hearing until next April.

Victor Adeyanju back in the fold - An important role player in recent seasons, Adeyanju will get plenty of reps this week with a banged up D-line.

Gibson a starter? - Without actually confirming it, Spagnuolo made it look as though WR Brandon Gibson will start this week. Who else do the Rams have at this point?

Rams C Jason Brown chatted with fans yesterday - See what the big man had to say.

Jackson's on a blistering pace; Chris Long is questionable - No surprise on Jackson. If Chris Long is out or limited this week, the Rams could really have some trouble on the D-line. If any of the others get injured, it'll be a tough afternoon.

Rams buy remaining tickets, avoid blackout - Not a bad move. Remember, the Rams TB ratings have improved steadily this season, with the Detroit and New Orleans games getting some good numbers. If they can play well this week, it'll go along way toward goosing their ratings for the season and building the fan base. Having Kurt Warner in town never hurts either.